Music Business Hacks

Today, we talk about productivity. What are the biggest time-killers for artists and what can we do to increase productivity?

Today, we talk about the best kinds of physical exercises for singers. Yes, it's good to have proper vocal technique through warm-ups and runs, but aerobic exercise, weightlifting, and yoga can have a positive (or negative) impact on your voice as well. Today, we talk about what can help you work on your most important instrument: your voice. Resources: Is Lifting Weights Good For Your Voice? (article by Cari Cole)

In today's episode, we talk about 7 specific tactics that artists can adopt to be in peak performance condition through better sleep...which can sometimes be tough to get on the road. Resources: Molded Swimmer's Ear Plugs - Better seal and comfort when sleeping Asutra Silk Eye Mask with Lavender - Super comfy, soothing aroma Nature Made 3mg melatonin - Lighter dose

This week, Warner Bros. announced their approach to having an "inclusion rider." How can music artists learn more from this movement and incorporate this kind of value into their own approach? Today, we talk about how and why every artist should have an inclusion rider. Resources: Episode #118 - Art and Activism

Today, I recap the best ideas shared over the past week and reflect on what it means to be a lifelong learner when it comes to improving our music music careers. This week's episodes: Episode #194 - Two SEO hacks for bands Episode #195 - How to Properly Advance Every Show Episode #196 - Why Music Genealogy is Important to Your Music Episode #197 - How to Create the Best Stage Plot and Input List Episode #198 - How to Captivate an Audience from Start to Finish Episode #199 - Interview: What Working Security for Venues Taught Darren Linder About the Music Business

Darren Linder is drummer for Portland band, The Shrike. But in addition to handling percussion, he is the band's primary lyricist, handles the booking, and serves as the tour manager. When not on stage with The Shrike, he works security at some of Portland's most popular venues and ends up working with acts like George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars. As such, he's gained all kinds of insights into a side of the music industry that not many artists see but really should be paying attention to. Resources: Darren's blog The Shrike official website Book: The Touring Musician: A Small-Business Approach to Booking Your Band on the Road by Hal Galper Book: How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician by Ari Herstand Book: Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis Podcast: PDXISH Podcast: Am I Crazy or Just Raving?

Today, we talk about what it takes to captivate an audience. What grabs their attention? What keeps them engaged?  How can you do more than simply playing a set of songs? Related Episodes: Episode 2: Don't practice. Rehearse Instead Episode 94: 2 Things Holding Artists Back at Live Shows Episode 100: Storytelling part 4: the Live Show Episode 189: How Musicians Can Improve Their Stage Banter

If you're playing live shows, you should have an updated stage plot and input list that is accurate, easy to read, and specific to your performance. In today's episode, we talk about best practices in creating these crucial documents that you should be runishing to every sound engineer that you work with. Resources: Stage plot software: Band Helper (Android app) Stage Plot Designer (free) Stage Plot Maker (for iPhone and iPad) StagePlot Pro (best software but costs ~$5) Tecrider (free) Input List Creating an input list (article + free template)

Music genealogy is the study of where music came from: how did certain movements and genres arise and what are the qualities of certain types of music? Today, we talk about how this study can impact your music. Resources: MusicMap Pandora How to Submit Music on Pandora

When it comes to your shows, you want to make sure that every detail is covered and confirmed before you get there. Having details in writing will make sure things are a little smoother and so there's fewer surprises when it comes to your set time, how you get paid, and what's expected from you and the venue.

Today, we talk about two things you can do right now to dramatically increase your ranking on Google and YouTube.

In today's episode, we talk about some of the best ideas discussed over the past month. Everything from the big themes like getting sponsorships to side hustles and basics and booking. It's time to see where you are after 192 episodes of following this podcast and hacking your way through the music industry! Resources: Episode 191: How to Overcome Self-Doubt Episode 186: Recap: How to Get a Sponsorship Deal Episode 177: Recap: Musician Side Hustles Episode 170: Recap: Handling the Scattered Musician Mind

Currently in the studio recording toward what will be her next album, singer/songwriter/guitarist Frankie Raye is based in the greater Tampa Bay area and has played 30 cities and 100-plus venues in Florida.  She also performed at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, in late January.  In May of this year she performed at the 2018 Key Largo Original Music Festival.  Soon after that she did a successful performance in conjunction with a Tampa Bay Rays (Major League Baseball) game that resulted in multiple re-bookings. In August alone Frankie has 29 bookings and routinely averages well over 20 dates per month, having been on stages ranging from the Hard Rock in Tampa to the Ritz Carlton in Naples to a festival on the northeast coast of Florida.  She has been featured on ABC and CBS-TV affiliate morning talk shows, and gotten her music into radio rotation. Frankie released her first official album in 2016, with worldwide distribution, although she had put out a ten-song, self-produced/independently distributed re

You're not alone: almost every artist is filled with doubt about their vocation and passion. In today's episode, I want to focus on 8 specific strategies in dealing with imposter syndrome and how you can turn that doubt into empowerment instead.  

If what you believe is your niche is shared by many others, how do you set yourself apart? If you're unsure of what makes you unique, how do carve out your own niche? In today's episode, I provide a set of questions to help you figure out what makes you different. Resources: Episode 16: How to Hack Yelp for Your Music

We've all been to shows where the music might be great but any kind of conversation between songs is lackluster. Remember, audiences don't just want a collection of songs: they want a show, from beginning to end, so it's important to learn how to improve those moments as well. In today's episode, we talk about creating moments, building anticipation, and how to connect better with the people watching you play. Resources: Episode 100: Storytelling Part 4: The Live Show as a Story

Yes, it's important to work hard. But its just as important to work smarter. Today, we talk about the secret to doing both.

I delivered one of the main addresses at the CD Baby D.I.Y Musician Conference in Nashville, TN on social media hacks. Really, the principles that I love sharing can be applied across multiple areas in your music career: pitching, getting shows, securing sponsorships, and of course, building a solid social media brand. Enjoy this talk + FAQ.  

For the past 8 episodes, we've been talking about sponsorship hacks - everything from pitching a potential sponsor to expanding your network. But really, it all comes down to one thing... Episodes this week: #178 - Hacking Sponsorships pt. 1 - How to Pitch Sponsors #179 - Hacking Sponsorships pt. 2- Creating a Compelling Story #180 - Hacking Sponsorships pt. 3 - Finding Your "It Factor" #181 - Hacking Sponsorships pt. 4 - Connecting with Sponsors #182 - Hacking Sponsorships pt. 5 - Making Your List of Sponsors #183 - Hacking Sponsorships pt. 6 - Places to Find Even More Sponsors #184 - Hacking Sponsorships pt. 7 - How to Ask for What You Want #185 - Interview: How Whitherward God Subaru to Sponsor Their European Tour Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4)

Today we sit down with indie-folk/Americana band, Whitherward. Their inspirational story highlights a creative approach to building a sustainable career with many best practices in booking and sponsorship. List for a jam-packed episode full of great insights in taking your career to the next level! For more information on Whitherward, check out: Website: whitherward.com Bandcamp: whitherward.bandcamp.com YouTube: youtube.com//whitherwardmusic Facebook: facebook.com/whitherwardmusic Twitter: twitter.com/whitherwardband Instagram: @whitherwardontour Patreon: patreon.com/whitherward Tumblr: whitherwardmusic.tumblr.com Resources: Booking shows: Indie on the Move Concerts in Your Home database Ashley's phone videography: LG V30 (unlocked) Favorite books: Book: How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements (print edition is $7, ebook is $4) Book: The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmerv Book: Myst: The Book of Atrus by Miller, Miller, and Wingrove Book: Ascent of the A-word by Geoffrey Nunberg Favorite podcasts: Stuff You